Legitimate Theater: #1. "The Producers" (2001)

The Producers

Welcome to Legitimate Theater: a column dedicated to movie-based stage musicals. The goal of this series is to explore those stories that originated in films and eventually worked their way onto Broadway and beyond. By the end of each entry, there will hopefully be a better understanding of this odd but rampant trend in modern entertainment. Are these stories really worth telling through song and dance? How can it even compare to the technical prowess of a camera and seamless editing? Join me on this quest as I explore the highs and lows of this trend on the third Wednesday of every month and hopefully answer what makes this Legitimate Theater.

Introducing Legitimate Theater, A Column About Movie-Based Stage Musicals

In an effort to explore areas beyond the Oscars, i have decided to open myself up to the world of theater, in particular stage musicals. I will confess that I know very little about the big names in this world and have decided to choose an angle that I am more familiar with: movies. So, how exactly will I be talking about stage shows AND movies? Why, by exploring musicals adapted from films of course. Over the course of Legitimate Theater, I hope to better understand what makes great musical theater by understanding a film through song. It's going to be a bit of an odd journey, but if 2018 has taught us anything with all of the SpongeBobs, Frozens, and Mean Girlses, there's definitely a supply and demand for them. So please, join me in Legitimate Theater, which I hope will make sense of this very odd trend.

R.I.P. John Morris (1926-2018)

John Morris

On January 25, 2018, composer John Morris died at the age of 91 in Red Hook, New York. over the course of his career, he has produced some of the most iconic scores ranging from films by Mel Brooks such as The Producers and Blazing Saddles; to more mature work like The Elephant Man. Even if he wasn't a household name, he managed to create some of the most empathetic and effective music in comedy and drama, and leaves behind an impressive body of work. Who could forget the melodies of a Brooks film? A lot of the credit is owed to Morris, who foudn a way to make melodies funny and catchy. With an impressive career spanning 30 years, he leaves behind an impressive body of work that will leave film fans happy and dancing, no matter how much they try to resist.

R.I.P. Gene Wilder (1933-2016)

Gene Wilder

On August 29, 2016, actor and director Gene Wilder died of Alzheimer's Disease in Stamford, Connecticut at the age of 83. Over the course of his career, he is best known for his comedic roles in films such as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and three collaborations with Mel Brooks (two of which received him Oscar nominations). With a lengthy and impressive career, he was a funny man who complimented his co-stars while also being able to make characters with an understated nuttiness. With several iconic films to his credit and activism in cancer research through Gilda's Club, he was a passionate man who made the most of his career by making people laugh and love. His talents loom large over pop culture, and his presence will be greatly missed.

The Directors Project: #31 - Mel Brooks

Scene from Cinema Paradiso

With the many lists and essays written on the subject of film, there has been one thing that The Oscar Buzz has tried to understand: Who is my favorite of the film world? For 10 weeks this summer, I will be exploring this with a countdown of the Top 50 names based on a numerical ranking of ratings from various sources, the following is a list of directors who rank above everyone else. With occasional upsets, this is intended as both a discussion opener as well as a better understanding of me as a film critic and fan. Please enjoy and leave any comments you have regarding the entry's selection.